
What states have volcanoes?
We are one of five states in the US with at least five or more volcanoes, but we and Hawaii, CA and Alaska have ones that are considered active. No doubt due to the May 18th, 1980 eruption of Mt. St. Helens, we're reminded to be aware. Now, honestly ...
What is the most active volcano in California?
What Is The Most Active Volcano In California? April 5, 2022. 0. Among these, Mount Shasta, Medicine Lake volcano, and Lassen Volcanic Center in Northern California; as well as Salton Buttes along the southern border with Mexico, have been rising over the past 3,000 years and are believed to pose high and very high risks.
Are there any active volcanoes in California?
The fact is, there are currently over 20 volcanoes known in California, seven of which are thought to be active. Spread throughout the entire state, the list of active volcanoes includes: Medicine Lake Volcano. Mount Shasta. Lassen Volcanic Center. Clear Lake Volcanic Field. Long Valley Volcanic Region. Coso Volcanic Field.
How many active volcanoes are in California?
CALIFORNIA is a hotbed of seismic activity, with 28 volcanoes across the state and eight of these are classed as active. See the map of the most dangerous volcanoes across California.

How many volcanoes are located in California?
The US state of California contains a total of 20 volcanoes. Many of the state's volcanoes have been inactive for long periods of time, although others exhibit evidence of recent volcanic activity.
When was the last active volcano in California?
May 22, 1915The last series of eruptions in California occurred from 1914 to 1917 within the Lassen Volcanic Center, with an explosive eruption of Lassen Peak on May 22, 1915. Lava flows, hot ash, mudslides and avalanches resulting from the eruptions had major impacts on the surrounding region.
Where is the volcano located in California?
Volcano (formerly Soldier's Gulch and The Volcano) is a census-designated place in Amador County, California. It lies at an elevation of 2070 feet (631 m). The population was 115 at the 2010 census. It is located at 38°26′35″N 120°37′51″W, just north of Pine Grove.
What is the closest volcano to California?
The closest volcanic area to Los Angeles is the Coso Volcanic Field that lies just north of Ridgecrest, California, about 181 miles north of Los Angeles.
Is LA sitting on a volcano?
There are no volcanoes in Los Angeles. The closest volcanic activity is the Lavic volcanic field and Coso volcanic field.
Is California built on a volcano?
At least seven California volcanoes—Medicine Lake Volcano, Mount Shasta, Lassen Volcanic Center, Clear Lake Volcanic Field, Long Valley Volcanic Region, Coso Volcanic Field, and Salton Buttes - have partially molten rock (magma) deep within their roots, and research on past eruptions indicates they will erupt again in ...
Will any volcanoes erupt California?
Volcanoes: More than 500 volcanic vents have been identified in the State of California. At least 76 of these vents have erupted, some repeatedly, during the last 10,000 years. Sooner or later, volcanoes in California will erupt again, and they could have serious impacts on your health and safety.
Is there a real volcano in Los Angeles?
Of those, several areas have had eruptions in the last 3,500 years. Geologically speaking, that's pretty recent, but it's a while on human timescales. More importantly, none of them are all that close to Los Angeles. The nearest volcanic area is the Coso Volcanic Field, about 181 miles away.
How often do volcanoes in California erupt?
There have been 10 eruptions in California over the last 1,000 years, and in any given year the chance of a major volcanic eruption in the state is about the same as the risk of a major earthquake on the San Andreas fault.
Is there a supervolcano in California?
Considered one of the most dangerous supervolcanos, the Long Valley Caldera is surrounded by surfacing news of eruptions across California.
What state has the most volcanoes?
1. Alaska. Alaska is home to the largest number of potentially active volcanoes in the U.S., with 141, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory.
What states in the US have volcanoes?
There are 12 states with active volcanoes. Here's the list.Alaska: 141.California: 18.Oregon: 17.Washington: 7.Hawaii: 5.Utah: 4.Idaho: 4.New Mexico: 3.More items...•
Will any volcanoes erupt California?
Volcanoes: More than 500 volcanic vents have been identified in the State of California. At least 76 of these vents have erupted, some repeatedly, during the last 10,000 years. Sooner or later, volcanoes in California will erupt again, and they could have serious impacts on your health and safety.
Is there a supervolcano in California?
Considered one of the most dangerous supervolcanos, the Long Valley Caldera is surrounded by surfacing news of eruptions across California.
Is there a volcano under Los Angeles?
Of those, several areas have had eruptions in the last 3,500 years. Geologically speaking, that's pretty recent, but it's a while on human timescales. More importantly, none of them are all that close to Los Angeles. The nearest volcanic area is the Coso Volcanic Field, about 181 miles away.
How often do volcanoes in California erupt?
There have been 10 eruptions in California over the last 1,000 years, and in any given year the chance of a major volcanic eruption in the state is about the same as the risk of a major earthquake on the San Andreas fault.
What is the highest volcano in California?
Mount Shasta, the highest volcano in California. The US state of California contains a total of 20 volcanoes. Many of the state's volcanoes have been inactive for long periods of time, although others exhibit evidence of recent volcanic activity. Some of California's highest volcanoes include Mount Shasta, Long Valley, Mammoth Mountain, Lassen, ...
How big is the caldera?
There is approximately 240 cubic miles of magma located underneath Long Valley, making it one of the world’s largest calderas, with a length of 20 mi, width of 11 mi, and a depth of 3,000 ft. The caldera's last volcanic activity occurred 50,000 years ago. Although the timeline is unclear, geologists believe that future volcanic eruptions ...
Where is Mount Shasta located?
Mount Shasta is a potentially active volcano located within the southern part of the Cascade Range in Siskiyou County. It is the highest volcano in California, with an elevation of 14,179 ft. The stratovolcano last erupted in 1786, is believed to have been observed by French explorer Lapérouse. Mount Shasta contains numerous glaciers, including ...
Is Mammoth Mountain active?
Thus, the mountain is a potentially active volcano. The portion of the volcano located in Mono County contains the Mammoth Mountain Ski Area.
What is the most popular crater in California?
The Pisgah Crater is most popular for its lava tubes. Take your friends caving here, and hike around this California volcano as the Mojave National Preserve peeks at you.
What is the name of the volcano in Lassen?
The main attraction at Lassen Volcanic National Park is, you guessed it, Lassen Peak. It was dormant for almost 27,000 years until the unexpected happened. Believed to be extinct, the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range erupted without a warning on May 30, 1914. Nearly one year later, on May 22 at 4:30 p.m., the Great Explosion of this California volcano took place, blasting volcanic ash, rock fragments, and pumice into the air. As a result, the larger and deeper of the two craters—which we now see near the summit of the volcano—were formed.
How often does Mount Shasta erupt?
The volcano has a complex summit that consists of four overlapping volcanic cones, including the main summit and its prominent satellite cone. According to the record of eruptions, over the past 10,000 years, Mount Shasta has erupted once every 600 to 800 years (on average). The last time it erupted was in 1786.
What is the name of the mountain in the Cascade Range?
When you visit the Shasta Cascade, a grand, steep-sided stratovolcano comes into view. Mount Shasta, the most voluminous composite volcano found in the Cascade Range, is the fifth-highest peak in the Golden State. The volcano has a complex summit that consists of four overlapping volcanic cones, including the main summit and its prominent satellite cone. According to the record of eruptions, over the past 10,000 years, Mount Shasta has erupted once every 600 to 800 years (on average). The last time it erupted was in 1786.
How many eruptions have there been in Medicine Lake?
Over the past 4,000 years, there have been at least six eruptions.
When did the Cascade volcano erupt?
Believed to be extinct, the southernmost active volcano in the Cascade Range erupted without a warning on May 30, 1914. Nearly one year later, on May 22 at 4:30 p.m., the Great Explosion of this California volcano took place, blasting volcanic ash, rock fragments, and pumice into the air.
Is Medicine Lake a volcano?
Extending around 50 miles north-south and 30 miles e ast-west, Medicine Lake Volcano is an active threat. According to scientists, this California volcano is unique in the sense that it has many small magma chambers rather than just a large one. Over the past 4,000 years, there have been at least six eruptions. It last erupted around 1,000 years ago, and it's expected to erupt again in the future.
How many volcanoes are there in California?
While volcanoes are fascinating to learn about, the hazards they pose are a part of life for many Californians. Seismologists have found that there are at least seven active volcanoes around California. They may not physically show signs of activity, but that's typical for volcanoes. They lie dormant for years and suddenly erupt without warning. Fortunately, seismologists and other scientists ensure that they study these volcanoes to prepare Californians when the time comes.
What is worse than having one volcano?
What's worse than having one volcano? Two volcanoes! When you visit the Long Valley Volcanic Region, you can spot the Long Valley Caldera and the Mono-Inyo Craters that form a large volcanic complex around eastern California. It was also the cause of considerable earthquake activity and ground uplift in the last decades.
How long ago did the Salton Buttes eruption last?
Many eruptions happened 400,000 years ago until it became dormant about 18,000 years ago. The most recent eruption took place 1,800 years ago that started explosively, then slowly progressed into dense, glass-looking lava domes. As always, the United States used the Salton Buttes to gather geothermal power that currently generates power for 325,000 homes. There isn't enough available data for seismologists to figure out the volcanic activity's pattern, but there's still a possibility of future eruptions.
How high is the volcano in Medicine Lake?
The volcanoes' floor elevation ranges between 6,500 to 8,500 feet, which is close to the Medicine Lake Volcano. Seismologists estimate that the next eruption will be smaller and similar to the past eruptions that happened along the Mono-Inyo volcanic chain within the last 5,000 years.
Where to visit Lassen Volcanic Center?
You can visit the Lassen Volcanic Center in Lassen Volcanic National Park, which is about 55 miles east of Redding. Hundreds of explosive eruptions happened within 850,000 years due to the vents spread over 200 miles. The volcano also has an elevation of 3,187 miles, making it a great tourist attraction. At least 350,000 people visit the Lassen Volcanic Center each year because of its unique volcanic landscapes.
Where is the Coso Volcanic Field?
If you like looking at hot springs, you should check out the Coso Volcanic Field located about 100 miles northeast of Bakersfield, California, within the boundary of the Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake. It covers roughly 150 miles of land and houses one of the largest energy-producing geothermal power plants in the United States. The power plant has a power output that can supply at least 270,000 homes.
Where is the 4th active volcano in the world?
It is set about 90 miles north of San Francisco, precisely beside Clear Lake in California's northern Coast Ranges. It also has an elevation of 1,439, making it the volcano with the lowest elevation out of the other three mentioned above. The volcano's key point is that it has 43,000 acres of freshwater, which gives the volcano its name.
What volcano is in the center of the photo?
The broad inconspicuous volcano in the center of the photo is Brushy Butte, a small shield volcano SSE of the Medicine Lake Highlands. The Brushy Butte complex has produced a broad apron of basaltic lava flows, seen here from Timbered Crater with the Big Valley Mountain fault scarp in the background. Fresh-looking flows extend preferentially down the regional gradient to the south as far as the Falls River valley, but the age of Brushy Butte is not well known. The volcano may be of late-Pleistocene or early Holocene age. (Photo: Lee Siebert, Smithsonian Institution)
Where is the Coso volcano?
(stratovolcano 2400 m / 7,874 ft) The Coso volcanic field is located east of the Sierra Nevada Range at the western edge of the Basin and Range province, California.
How long is the Inyo crater?
Inyo Craters. (lava domes 2629 m / 8,625 ft) Inyo Craters are a 12-km long field of lava domes at the eastern margin of the Sierra Nevada, California, near the town of Mammoth and south of the similar Mono Craters field.
Where is the Ubehebe volcano?
Ubehebe Craters volcano is a group of maars (explosion craters) located at the western margin of Tin Mountain, California, in the northern end of Death Valley. The craters were thought to have last erupted about 6000 years ago, but a recent study suggests that some activity could... [ more ]
How big is the Long Valley?
Long Valley. (caldera 3390 m / 11,122 ft) The large 17 x 32 km Long Valley caldera east of the central Sierra Nevada Range, California, is the result of a giant explosive eruption that happened about 760,000 years ago and formed the widespread and voluminous Bishop Tuff.
Where is tumble butte?
Tumble Buttes is a volcanic field in northern California, consisting of several cinder cones that had been last active about 15,000 years ago. A well-known feature is Devils Rock Garden, a blocky lava flow which extends south of the volcano. [ more ]
Is Brushy Butte a volcano?
(Photo: Lee Siebert, Smithsonian Institution) Brushy Butte is a small, poorly studied shield volcano immediately east of Timbered Crater maar, and south-southeast of the Medicine Lake Highlands in northern California, USA. [ more ]